Trick or treat etiquette

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What are the rules around Halloween? I have an almost three year old. Do we go trick or treating?

If so, we live in area with mainly flats but also some houses. The acquaintances we have most we don’t know where they live. On what doors do we knock?

If they have decorated their house, they are happy to join in. Simple rule. It's huge around here!

Scope out the neighbourhood the day before or morning of. Are there places decorated? Is there a nearby primary school? Usually houses near a school are more inclined to celebrate. Flats are difficult.
I love Halloween and as I'm within walking distance to three primaries and we are mostly terraced houses we get at least 100 visitors. Three is old enough! But if your child goes to nursery and you know any of the parents ask if they are going out and can you team up. And as stated only go to houses that are decorated/have a pumpkin.
I remember moving to a new area and my kids were mega excited only to find the new area did not celebrate. We only got one trick or treater who were on holiday and the mum said they'd walked what seemed miles. Mine were so disappointed!

This reminds me -

Time to look out the decorations.

We didn’t start until 4, I wouldn’t bother at 3.

Definitely do it. Most kids round here do it in groups, usually with parents as they tend to be aged 2-8. Some older ones about 10-12 come round alone. Any house that's decorated should be a good bet. Obviously it's easier to knock on doors that are facing the open street so maybe that's the easiest option. Unless you live in a block and then you try your neighbours in there also.

Not even 3 is too young unless you’re just doing a few houses that you know imo.
Last year we just stayed in to greet trick or treaters and my 2.5 year old loved that.
Personally at 3.5 this year I think she’s still too young, she isn’t even allowed sweets like harribo and stuff so it seems a bit mean to go trick or treating and then take it off her.

As others have said only knock on doors with decorations outside, only take one sweet, always say thank you. Also, don’t repeatedly knock/ring the bell. Do it once and if no one answers move on.

I wouldn't bother at 3 unless there's obviously decorated stuff around you. But yeah, what everyone says - decorated households only. It's a lovely, wholesome thing that MN loves to suck the joy out of every year.

Ahh go for it! It's great fun!

I will add to 'only knock on houses with pumpkins' the really obvious 'only go out at Halloween!'
This follows some particularly cheeky sods on our local estate who decided as Halloween falls on a school night they'd do it the saturday before instead.

When mine were that age, I took them to toddler Halloween themed parties with other friends rather than actual trick or treating and the helped give out sweets to trick or treaters who came to the house.

When they were older and at school and asked to go, we took them. Our street had a WhatsApp group so I just asked in there if anyone was happy for them to pop by.

Etiquette wise - another's have said, only go to houses obviously decorated. Dont go too late. Be polite. Take one treat.

DD was 3 during Covid so she went trick or treating round all the doors in our house! Worked quite well for that age if you want to phone it in 😂

If you're not being mithered by her yet to do it then take the opportunity to not have to do it for another couple of years

My similar age DC is only coming because of older siblings. So I agree to hold off and wait. In a couple of years or so you might know people on the street better to see who is happy for a visit/do reciprocal visits to other houses with DC.

Definitely don't just knock on random doors, it'll be very awkward.

Most neighbour/community groups agree a sign like a pumpkin in the window. If yours hasn't done anything I'd certainly leave it for now.

I love the Trick or Treaters coming round .. especially the little ones.

Usual etiquette here as everywhere else .. lit pumpkin & decorations means you are open for visits.

Go out and have a bit of fun …..

Thanks everyone! We might stay at home at put a pumpkin in the window